Flydubai Co-Pilot Charged with Terrorism, Faces Death Penalty

United Arab Emirates prosecutors have formally charged the Flydubai co-pilot who attacked his captain mid-flight with attempted terrorism, a classification that could carry the death penalty under Emirati law. The move signals the UAE's determination to treat the incident as a planned terror attack rather than a security breach.

Hamam al-Hammami, 29, an Omani citizen born in the UAE, has been charged following his attempt to seize control of flight FZ1073 to Tel Aviv last week. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed Saturday that al-Hammami "attacked the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe" before attempting to take over the aircraft's controls, according to JFeed's earlier report.

The formal terrorism classification marks a significant escalation in the case. Al-Hammami has told investigators he intended to crash the plane inside Israel, ABC News reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the investigation. Israeli officials are expected to participate in his questioning as authorities work to determine whether he acted alone or was directed by a terror organization.

For Israeli travelers and the broader Jewish community, the case raises urgent questions about aviation security screening. Al-Hammami had been grounded by Omani authorities over concerns about radical ideological views before Flydubai hired him, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. A second airline, Royal Air Maroc, had also declined to hire him, as JFeed reported. It remains unclear whether Flydubai knew about these red flags or whether Oman shared its concerns with other countries.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Friday that al-Hammami had undergone Islamist radicalization and warned that "whoever sent him will pay a heavy price." Israeli security officials are now investigating whether the co-pilot was recruited by a terror group or acted independently.

The weapon al-Hammami used, a crash axe kept in every commercial cockpit for emergency use, highlights a vulnerability in aviation security. The lightweight tool is designed to break through panels or jammed doors during emergencies, but in this case became an instrument of attack against the captain.

Al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE on Thursday and is said to be cooperating with authorities. Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the UAE president, became the first Gulf official to publicly acknowledge the incident, calling it a "criminal and terrorist act."

The case has exposed gaps in international information-sharing about aviation security threats. Neither the Omani government nor Flydubai has responded to requests for comment on why al-Hammami was permitted to fly commercial routes to Israel despite previous concerns about his extremist views.

Further updates to follow as the investigation continues.